Urban Nature is an international seminar that brings forth visions of future parks and gardens and highlights the minds behind the visions. The seminar will focus on the values of urban nature and the cultural, ecological and health-related importance of parks and forests. At the same time, the seminar will celebrate Turku's urban park traditions and the legacy of local botanists.
The seminar will bring together a wide spectrum of specialists, landscape architects, artists, gardening professionals and city residents to meet, discuss and share ideas.
What are the opportunities and challenges for urban nature? What significance does urban nature hold for society’s well-being? What kind of role should artists play in city and nature planning?
The international guest speakers at the seminar will include landscape architect and contemporary artist Martha Schwartz (USA/UK), ecological artist Jackie Brookner (USA), landscape architect Patrick Quist (Sweden), professor Peter Schantz (Sweden), Victoria Thornton, Open City, London (UK) and the landscape architect agency G R O S S . M A X (UK).
The seminar will be organised by the Turku Summer University, curated by artist Armi Laukia.
8–9 September: Turku Summer University
